International

With over 100 years of admirable tradition, Palmerston North Girls’ High School has an outstanding reputation for nurturing personal academic and co-curricular excellence since 1902. The school performs amongst the top girls’ schools in New Zealand and consistently outperforms the national average. With high achievement in the internationally recognized NCEA qualifications, many of our graduates go on to top New Zealand universities, Ivy League and other well-known international universities with full or partial scholarships.

At PNGHS, we offer a very broad range of subjects in many different disciplines including Business, Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology, and Sports. In our all-girl study environment, students are encouraged to be innovative and bold, to explore and try things that they might otherwise not try in front of boys. Our teachers can focus on teaching methodology that best suits girls. Our students enjoy custom-tailored learning and instruction. They find much greater freedom and confidence to express themselves and pursue their interests.

Our small class size of 25 – 30 allows personalized education and encourages students to support each other in achieving their educational goals. Teacher aides in subject classes and peer tutoring are available for all students. Our International Office is open during school hours and offers support for all kinds of problems, including academic enquiries, homesickness or sometimes for students to just catch a breath between intense study hours. We are also contactable 24/7 in case of emergencies.

Being a decile 9 school means that the majority of our students are from high socio-economic communities. Our students have the privilege of enjoying a beautiful campus with superior facilities that well cater to their study needs and interests. They are accustomed to using Apple’s digital technologies like the iMacs or iPads in their study, particularly in design and music composition.

Our teachers are dedicated and professional educators who are committed to student’s individual needs that are met by working alongside the student’s to achieve their academic goals for excellence. Their underpinning knowledge and skills will be gained from practical and theoretical lessons.

1300 students join together in celebration of cultural diversity at our school. We are proud to embrace many different cultures including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, German, and French, alongside with Pacifika and our host New Zealand or Kiwi culture. Our energetic Multicultural Committee runs a great range of activities during the year like the International Friendship Club, Diversity Day, Food Festival, and International Fashion Show. We also actively participate in the annual Palmerston North’s Festival of Cultures and the city’s International Student Welcome. Events such as these allow our girls to learn about each other, to respect each other’s culture, and develop life-long friendship.

At PNGHS, students have the opportunity to focus on their study, and participate in a wide range of activities to develop their leadership skills. They also learn to respect and celebrate cultural diversity, learn to listen, be proactive, be patient, flexible and assertive when dealing with a variety of people. These are essential and marketable skills that will be helpful in their future as successful tertiary students, citizens and potential leaders of the world.

The International Office is the source of information on all aspects of studying at PNGHS. If you have any questions about subject options, pathways to different universities, arriving in Palmerston North or any other concerns, you should feel free to contact them at: